Knee injury prompts Minnesota forward Oto Osieneks to end playing career a year early

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota junior Oto Osenieks (OH'-shuh-nix) will end his playing career a year early.

The university announced Wednesday it will seek an NCAA medical waiver to keep his scholarship from counting against the 13-player limit next season. Coach Richard Pitino said the knee injury that has kept Osieneks out of the last two games will "limit his ability to continue playing" next season. The Latvia native wants to pursue a coaching career and will help with the team's day-to-day operations next season.

He has one year of eligibility remaining, but he is scheduled to graduate in May.

Playing out of position at power forward, the 6-foot-8 Osieneks started 23 games this season and averaged 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Joey King replaced him in the starting lineup last month.